Cryptocurrency
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BitMEX to shutter crypto exchange after 11-year run
After more than a decade as a pioneer in the digital asset space, BitMEX is closing its doors. Owner HDR Global Trading Limited confirmed the move on Thursday, citing a strategic review of its business and the broader cryptocurrency industry as the primary drivers for winding down operations by September 23.
The Smarter Web Company Sheds Debt Through Bitcoin Sale
The Smarter Web Company has settled its $11.7 million Smarter Convert debt two weeks ahead of schedule, opting to liquidate 177.89 Bitcoin to clear the balance. By utilizing the very assets acquired through the initial financing, the firm has eliminated the threat of diluting shareholders with 7.7 million new shares.
Pons Launchpad Targets Robinhood Chain Growth with V2 Upgrade
Competition for dominance on the Robinhood Chain is intensifying as launchpad platform Pons prepares to roll out its V2 upgrade next week. The update introduces an ETH-based bonding curve, Uniswap V4 integration, and expanded support for tokenized real-world assets, marking a strategic shift in how liquidity is managed on the network.
Grayscale ETF filing reveals extreme concentration in Worldcoin supply
A regulatory filing from Grayscale has exposed a striking imbalance in the Worldcoin ecosystem, revealing that the 100 largest wallets control roughly 90% of the circulating WLD supply. This concentration highlights significant risks for the asset manager’s proposed spot ETF, which aims to provide investors with direct exposure to the token.
BancaStato integrates Sygnum to offer crypto trading in Switzerland
Clients of Ticino-based BancaStato can now trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Solana directly through their existing banking applications. The integration marks a milestone for the 1915-founded cantonal bank, which has partnered with Sygnum and Avaloq to bring regulated digital asset services into its established retail environment.
Coinbase Doubles Down on Singapore Hub with Hiring Push
Coinbase has opened a new office at One Raffles Quay in Singapore, signaling a strategic commitment to the region. The crypto exchange plans to grow its local headcount by one-third, reaching approximately 200 employees by the end of 2026, even as it navigates global volatility and shifting regulatory landscapes.
Mirae Asset Tightens Control Over Crypto Exchange Korbit
South Korea’s financial giant Mirae Asset has finalized its acquisition of cryptocurrency exchange Korbit, securing a controlling stake as traditional institutions deepen their foothold in the digital asset sector. The move marks a milestone for the industry, as a major domestic financial group takes direct ownership of a regulated exchange.
Ripple and Coinbase CEOs press Senate to advance CLARITY Act
“Perfect can’t be the enemy of good,” Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse declared this week, urging Congress to pass the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act. Despite his push and support from Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong, the legislation faces a stalled path as a group of Senate Democrats demand stricter ethics and consumer safeguards.
Verus Ethereum Bridge drained of $7.54M in repeat exploit
The Verus Ethereum Bridge suffered a $7.54 million breach on July 23, marking the second time the protocol has been targeted by an exploit this year. Security firm Blockaid identified that the attacker leveraged the same bridge contract and import path that allowed a previous theft in May.
Circle Pairs With Kakao and Toss to Pilot Korean Stablecoin Infrastructure
Circle has signed separate memorandums of understanding with Kakao Group and fintech operator Toss to explore the integration of stablecoin payments and blockchain settlement within South Korea, marking a strategic push to align USDC infrastructure with the country’s evolving digital asset regulatory framework.
Louisiana Pension Fund Increases MicroStrategy Stake
The Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System has expanded its indirect exposure to Bitcoin, increasing its holding in MicroStrategy to 21,300 shares. Regulatory filings reveal the $16.3 billion pension fund added 700 shares during the second quarter, signaling a continued, albeit modest, commitment to the software company’s crypto-heavy balance sheet.
Revolut hits $115 billion valuation in secondary share sale
Revolut has surged to a $115 billion valuation following a new secondary share sale that prices individual units at $2,017. This latest transaction offers employees and existing shareholders a significant liquidity event, pushing the fintech firm’s private market value well beyond that of traditional banking giants like Barclays.
Zilliqa halts native transactions after Ledger app flaw exposes keys
A critical vulnerability in the Zilliqa Ledger application has forced the network to suspend native ZIL transactions, as researchers confirmed that flawed signature generation allowed attackers to reconstruct private keys. The security breach, which persisted for years, leaves any account with roughly five or more native signatures permanently compromised.
Hester Peirce Warns Crypto Vaults May Face SEC Oversight
Moving financial activities to a blockchain does not grant immunity from federal regulation. Securities and Exchange Commission Commissioner Hester Peirce warned on July 22 that crypto vaults and onchain lending platforms may fall under existing securities laws, depending on how operators structure their management and investment strategies.
Physical Crypto Attacks Surge as Financial Stakes Hit $124 Million
Fifty-two verified "wrench attacks" occurred globally in the first half of 2026, marking a 33% increase in frequency and a staggering 1,079% jump in financial exposure. According to CertiK, the trend highlights a dangerous shift as criminals bypass digital encryption by targeting the physical safety of crypto holders.
Payward Taps GTN to Take Tokenized xStocks Global
With over $37 billion in transaction volume already processed, Payward is moving its xStocks platform beyond U.S. borders. By partnering with fintech provider GTN, the Kraken parent aims to tokenize equities across more than 90 international markets, starting with assets listed in Hong Kong to challenge traditional financial fragmentation.
Crypto Industry Generates 232,000 U.S. Jobs and $55 Billion in GDP
With 232,000 jobs supported across the national economy, the cryptocurrency sector is carving out a significant niche in the American labor market. A new report commissioned by the National Cryptocurrency Association projects the industry will contribute $55 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product by the end of 2026.
Crypto PAC injects $1M into Michigan primary to protect Thanedar
A political action committee linked to the crypto industry has poured nearly $1 million into Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, launching a dual-pronged campaign to bolster incumbent Representative Shri Thanedar while funding attack advertisements against his primary challenger, state Representative Donavan McKinney.
AFX Bridge Drain Leads to $24.15M Loss and Massive ETH Conversion
A security breach targeting a third-party bridge operated by the trading protocol AFX resulted in the theft of $24.15 million in USDC on July 22. The attacker swiftly moved the illicit funds across chains, converting the stablecoin into 12,467.5 ETH, leaving the protocol’s infrastructure under intense scrutiny.
Japan eyes 2028 launch for first Bitcoin ETFs
Japan is moving to integrate cryptocurrency into its formal financial system, with regulators aiming to clear the way for Bitcoin exchange-traded funds by 2028. The shift marks a transition in how the country classifies digital assets, moving them from payment tools toward recognized financial investment products.
S&P and Pantera Launch Revenue-Focused Crypto Index Excluding Bitcoin
S&P Dow Jones Indices and Pantera Capital have unveiled an 18-asset benchmark that strips away Bitcoin and XRP, favoring blockchain networks based on protocol revenue. By shifting the focus from market capitalization to tangible fee generation, the index aims to mirror traditional equity metrics for professional digital asset portfolios.
UK Treasury faces payment hurdle for 2027 sovereign digital bond
The UK Treasury has set a Q1 2027 deadline for its inaugural tokenized sovereign bond, but the project hinges on a critical technical gap: the absence of a unified, regulated on-chain mechanism to settle the cash leg of the transaction alongside the digital security.
Tesla Retains Bitcoin Reserve Despite $112 Million Mark-to-Market Loss
Tesla held its position of 11,509 Bitcoin steady through the second quarter, opting against liquidating assets despite a $112 million after-tax loss caused by crypto market volatility. The company’s decision maintains a holding pattern that has persisted since the major sell-off of its original crypto reserves in 2022.
Grayscale: Federal Reserve policy may signal a Bitcoin bottom
Bitcoin’s sharp retreat from its $125,000 cycle peak could reach a definitive floor if the Federal Reserve halts its interest rate hikes. Zach Pandl, head of research at Grayscale, suggests that shifting macroeconomic conditions are now more critical to the asset's recovery than historical four-year cycle patterns.
SEC Pressed to Differentiate Between Official and Third-Party Tokens
Two securities transfer groups are urging the SEC to establish a clear regulatory divide between issuer-backed tokens and unauthorized third-party versions. They warn that unaffiliated products—which often lack a direct legal link to the underlying company—risk undermining shareholder protections, voting rights, and the integrity of corporate record-keeping.
Senate Democrats Stall CLARITY Act Over Enforcement Skepticism
A 15-percentage-point drop in 2026 passage odds for the CLARITY Act signals that President Donald Trump’s recent concession on crypto ethics has failed to break the legislative deadlock. Democratic resistance, led by Senator Angela Alsobrooks, centers on the bill's reliance on the Department of Justice to police potential conflicts of interest.
Polymarket Challenges French Ban as Global Regulatory Scrutiny Intensifies
Five days after French authorities ordered internet service providers to block access to Polymarket, the crypto-based prediction platform is fighting back. The company announced it will contest the National Gambling Authority’s decision in court, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal battle over the classification of event-based trading.
Bitcoin slips below $66K as geopolitical friction spurs inflation fears
Donald Trump’s warning to target Iranian infrastructure, coupled with the collapse of the Islamabad Memorandum, has sent oil prices surging above $95 per barrel. This sudden geopolitical volatility is forcing traders to recalibrate their outlook on Federal Reserve interest rates, dragging Bitcoin down to $65,700 in the process.
White House accuses Moonshot AI of illicit model distillation
Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, has accused Beijing-based Moonshot AI of surreptitiously utilizing proprietary technology from Anthropic to develop its Kimi K3 model. The allegations follow the Chinese system’s recent surge to the top of the Frontend Code Arena benchmark.
SEC to Pay Coinbase $150,000 Over Lost Gensler Text Messages
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has agreed to a $150,000 settlement with Coinbase after failing to preserve nearly 11 months of text messages from former Chair Gary Gensler. The deal brings a long-standing Freedom of Information Act lawsuit to a close, forcing the regulator to overhaul its internal record-retention policies.